Do the lads 'ave ta be so pushy?
Sgt Roger Bandman, Witch O' the Moonlight's tail gunner's comment resonated with F/O James Tewsbury, Witch's pilot. Used to flying solo in the bomber stream at night, as formation lead he felt the other Lancs crowding him even though they were nowhere near as close as the Yanks in their formations. Still, it was just another irritant added to the sunlight streaming in through the normally dark cockpit windows.
Jerry was waiting for us as north of Dortmund. Three bandits attacked, the trio representing the range of Goering's fighters: an Fw 190, a Bf 109, and a Bf 110. The first two were chased off by the Spits, but the 110 was climbing up from below, apparently hidden from their view and out of the field of fire of any of our guns. Leading the formation, I hardly felt it appropriate to start jinking in the hopes of giving one of the lads a shot. Jerry hit us with everything he had, which is much more than his Tame Boar cousin has. The most serious damage was to the #4 engine, knocking it out of commission. The greater problem was that the prop refused to feather, leaving no choice but to drop out of formation and jettison our bombs. Hopefully one of the other ships took over the lead.
Falling quickly behind, I saw no value in trying to proceed to the target on our own in broad daylight so I turned Witch for home. With the drag caused by the unfeathered prop it was a long, tiring flight. Shortly after we left the Dutch coast behind the returning formation passed us by on their way home. By the time we made Lincoln it was getting dark as well as rainy. Still, Witch set down on the tarmac right enough.
The wrench-turners say they'll have Witch patched up by tomorrow (53 Peckham Points) and at least none of the lads got hurt.
F/O James Tewsbury, Commanding
Witch O' the Moonlight